Chantel Jeffries Speaks: Why I Went To Panama With Justin Bieber

Chantel is clearing the air about why she and Justin Bieber fled to Panama after his Jan. 23 DUI and drag racing arrest in Miami — and the reason may surprise you.

Chantel Jeffries is not happy about all the media attention she’s been receiving after her wild night with Justin Bieber in Miami. The 21-year-old model is not used to dealing with so much “stress,” which is why she escaped to Panama with Justin to relax and unwind away from the public eye.

A New York newspaper reported that Chantel had been busted in the past for assault with a deadly weapon — a knife — and reckless driving. But Chantel is speaking out with a different story.

“I have not been arrested five times as has been stated in the media, nor am I guilty of physically assaulting anyone, in any way shape or form,” Chantel says in a new interview with TMZ. “I am a full time student who had enjoyed a normal lifestyle, free from public scrutiny and criticism, until now.”

“What has happened to me is wrong,” she adds.

It sounds like Chantel didn’t consider the negative side effects of fame before she decided to start hanging out with Justin. We’re not surprised that she wanted to get away after feeling overwhelmed by all the publicity — and what better place than Panama?

“Panama is beautiful. It’s a good place to get away from all the stress,” Chantel tells People.

Chantel Jeffries: ‘I Would Never Sell My Story’ About Justin Bieber

Chantel seems eager to clear the air about her escapades with Justin. On Jan. 28, she tweeted, “So many false allegations going around, I will clear up everything very soon.”

This followed Page Six‘s report that she was shopping around the story of what happened on Jan. 23 for $20,000. None of the outlets would pay her, according to the report, and she “abruptly” stopped conversation on Jan. 26, to spend time with the singer in Panama.

“Chantel’s attorney and I received multiple appearance requests for Chantel, as you can imagine,” a rep for the model explained to MailOnline. “None were for compensation, especially not $20,000. None were accepted.”